EDEN HAZ TO BE A WINNER
Conte: Blues ace needs the big trophies... like me!
ANTONIO CONTE last night called on Eden Hazard to copy his example and be a winner.
And Conte revealed that he would not consider dumping Barcelona out of the Champions League as something to crow about. Chelsea need a victory tonight in the Nou Camp or a score draw of 2-2 or higher, while a 1-1 scoreline and a penalty shoot-out victory is their final hope. A 2-2 draw was good enough in 2012 when Chelsea left Lionel Messi in tears after dumping the Catalans out of the Champions League in the semi-finals before going on to triumph against Bayern Munich in the final. But Blues chief Conte insisted such an outcome will not feature high on his CV.
“I hope in my career I consider it an achievement when you win something,” said the Italian, who landed the title in his first year with Chelsea and won Serie A three years in a row with Juventus. “I think this is a big achievement for a manager. In this case, we are talking about the last 16.” It was a pretty clear message to his team not to get carried away if they come out on top tonight. And Conte also gave a big nudge to Belgium star Hazard, who was nowhere near his best in the 1-1 draw with Barca in the first leg. Having earlier described Andres Iniesta, who is set to shake off a hamstring injury and start tonight, as “a genius”, the Blues boss was asked whether Hazard also deserved that accolade. “We are talking about two different players with different careers,” he said. “Iniesta won a lot in his career. Hazard has to start to win important trophies.” Hazard made it clear after the home game he did not enjoy playing through the middle. Despite insisting last night that his star man can play as a ‘false No.9’, Conte is expected to allow him to go back out wide tonight and bring in Olivier Giroud as a from DAVID WOODS in Barcelona central striker. Despite Barca being hot favourites, history is on Chelsea’s side, given that they have not lost to the La Liga giants in their last eight encounters, with six draws and two victories.
The most celebrated success came in 2012 when the west Londoners grabbed a 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp, from 2-0 down with 10 men following John Terry’s dismissal, to win 3-2 on aggregate.
Messi missed a penalty and ended up sobbing and then team-mate Alexis Sanchez revealed: “You might cry during a game if you lose a final. In the dressing room after the Chelsea game, I saw Leo cry.”
Conte suggested he could see it becoming another ‘tear we go’ encounter tonight for the Argentinian ace.
“Barcelona are one of the best teams in the world,” the Italian said.
“They are winning the league, they are in a final of the Spanish Cup.
“They have all the characteristics to have a great season but, as you know very well, you are never sure with football.”
While Messi and Hazard have commanded plenty of attention in the build-up, Chelsea’s hopes of progress look like they could hinge on Willian.
The 29-year-old was the man of the match in the first leg, scoring a superb goal from outside the box and also hitting the post twice in the first half.
He has scored five goals in his last five outings and grabbed three of Chelsea’s last four strikes.
Barca boss Ernesto Valverde is well aware of the Brazilian’s threat and said: “Not only has he been doing to well in the first leg, he has been playing really great with Chelsea.
“He is scoring easily and he is a player we have to watch closely.
“He is one of those players who finds shooting so easy. “He is in his best form of the season.” Willian said: “Of course I’m happy with my form at the moment. I’m happy with the goals that I’ve scored but I want more.
“We come here respecting Barcelona, they are great and have great players. A big club, like Chelsea are a big club.
“We want to do our job, the perfect job, to go through to the next round.”